Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A base station router for use within an analog distributed antenna system, the base station router comprising: circuitry configured to: receive digital signals representing radio frequency channels from at least one base station; convert the digital signals to analog radio frequency signals; communicate analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to a plurality of remote antenna units of the analog distributed antenna system using analog communication links, the analog signals used for transmission of the analog radio frequency signals at each of a plurality of coverage zones at an antenna associated with each remote antenna unit of the plurality of remote antenna units; and distribute capacity between the plurality of coverage zones by changing which sectors received from the at least one base station are provided to which of the plurality of coverage zones.
This invention relates to a base station router for analog distributed antenna systems (DAS), addressing the challenge of efficiently distributing radio frequency (RF) signals from base stations to multiple coverage zones while dynamically managing capacity allocation. The router receives digital signals representing RF channels from one or more base stations and converts them into analog RF signals. These analog signals are then transmitted to multiple remote antenna units (RAUs) via analog communication links. Each RAU uses the received signals to broadcast the RF channels in its assigned coverage zone. A key feature is the ability to dynamically distribute capacity between coverage zones by selectively routing different sectors received from the base stations to specific zones. This allows for flexible allocation of resources based on demand, improving system efficiency and coverage quality. The router ensures seamless integration with existing analog DAS infrastructure while enhancing performance through intelligent signal distribution. The solution is particularly useful in environments requiring adaptive coverage adjustments, such as large venues or urban areas with varying traffic patterns.
2. The base station router of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the analog communication links is established using at least one of copper wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, microwave link, or optical link.
3. The base station router of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the analog communication links is established using optical fiber.
4. The base station router of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry includes processing circuitry selected from at least one of a signal leveler, a signal attenuator, a signal splitter, a signal combiner, a receive-and-transmit signal combiner, a splitter, or a multiplexer.
5. The base station router of claim 1 , wherein the sectors comprise a plurality of communication channels to be radiated to wireless devices within the plurality of coverage zones and represent an amount of telecommunication capacity for communicating information between the at least one base station and the wireless devices.
This invention relates to a base station router designed to manage wireless communication sectors, each sector comprising multiple communication channels directed toward wireless devices within defined coverage zones. The sectors allocate telecommunication capacity to facilitate data exchange between the base station and wireless devices. The router dynamically adjusts sector configurations to optimize coverage and capacity based on demand, ensuring efficient use of available resources. By dividing the coverage area into sectors, the system enhances signal quality and reduces interference, improving overall network performance. The communication channels within each sector are tailored to support varying data rates and device types, ensuring reliable connectivity. The router monitors traffic patterns and reallocates channels as needed to maintain optimal performance. This approach allows the base station to handle increased data loads while minimizing resource waste. The invention addresses challenges in wireless network management, such as balancing coverage, capacity, and interference, by providing a flexible and adaptive sector-based communication framework.
6. The base station router of claim 1 , wherein the digital signals are at least one of Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or Open Radio Equipment Interface (ORI) signals.
7. The base station router of claim 1 , wherein the base station router includes features of an intelligent point of interface (I-POI) system.
8. An analog distributed antenna system, comprising: a first remote antenna unit configured to wirelessly communicate with first wireless devices located in a first coverage zone using a first antenna; a second remote antenna unit configured to wirelessly communicate with second wireless devices located in a second coverage zone using a second antenna; a base station router configured to: receive digital signals representing radio frequency channels from at least one base station; convert the digital signals to analog radio frequency signals; communicate analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to the first remote antenna unit across a first analog communication link and to the second remote antenna unit across a second analog communication link; and distribute capacity between the first coverage zone and the second coverage zone by changing which sectors received from the at least one base station are provided to the first coverage zone and the second coverage zone; wherein the first remote antenna unit is configured to convert the analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to first analog radio frequency signals for transmission via the first antenna to the first wireless devices located in the first coverage zone; and wherein the second remote antenna unit is configured to convert the analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to second analog radio frequency signals for transmission via the second antenna to the second wireless devices located in the second coverage zone.
9. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first analog communication link and the second analog communication link is established using at least one of copper wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, microwave link, or optical link.
10. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first analog communication link and the second analog communication link is established using optical fiber.
11. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein the base station router includes processing circuitry selected from at least one of a signal leveler, a signal attenuator, a signal splitter, a signal combiner, a receive-and-transmit signal combiner, a splitter, or a multiplexer.
12. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein the sectors comprise a plurality of communication channels to be radiated to wireless devices within at least one of the first coverage zone or the second coverage zone and represent an amount of telecommunication capacity for communicating information between the at least one base station and the wireless devices.
13. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein the digital signals are at least one of Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or Open Radio Equipment Interface (ORI) signals.
14. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein the base station router includes features of an intelligent point of interface (I-POI) system.
15. The analog distributed antenna system of claim 8 , wherein the first coverage zone is the second coverage zone.
16. A method, comprising: receiving digital signals representing radio frequency channels from at least one base station at a base station router; converting the digital signals to analog radio frequency signals at the base station router; communicating analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to a first remote antenna unit and a second remote antenna unit across analog communication links; converting the analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to first analog radio frequency signals at the first remote antenna unit; transmitting the first analog radio frequency signals from a first antenna associated with the first remote antenna unit to first wireless devices located in a first coverage zone; converting the analog signals derived from the analog radio frequency signals to second analog radio frequency signals at the second remote antenna unit; transmitting the second analog radio frequency signals from a second antenna associated with the second remote antenna unit to second wireless devices located in a second coverage zone; and distributing capacity between the first coverage zone and the second coverage zone by changing which sectors received from the at least one base station are provided to the first coverage zone and the second coverage zone.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the analog communication links is established using at least one of copper wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, microwave link, or optical link.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the analog communication links is established using optical fiber.
This invention relates to communication systems, specifically methods for establishing and managing analog communication links. The problem addressed is the need for reliable, high-quality analog communication in environments where digital conversion may introduce latency or signal degradation. The invention provides a method for establishing multiple analog communication links between devices, ensuring synchronized and interference-free signal transmission. At least one of these links is implemented using optical fiber, which offers advantages such as high bandwidth, low signal loss, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. The method includes selecting communication channels, configuring link parameters, and dynamically adjusting signal properties to maintain optimal performance. Optical fiber links are particularly useful in scenarios requiring long-distance or high-fidelity analog signal transmission, such as in broadcasting, medical imaging, or industrial control systems. The invention ensures that analog signals are transmitted with minimal distortion, latency, or interference, improving overall system reliability and performance.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the digital signals are at least one of Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or Open Radio Equipment Interface (ORI) signals.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first coverage zone is the second coverage zone.
A system and method for managing wireless communication coverage zones involves dynamically adjusting coverage areas to optimize network performance. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently allocating resources in wireless networks to ensure reliable connectivity while minimizing interference and resource waste. The method includes defining multiple coverage zones, each associated with a set of communication parameters such as frequency bands, power levels, and modulation schemes. These zones are dynamically adjusted based on real-time network conditions, user demand, and interference levels to enhance coverage and capacity. The method further involves monitoring network performance metrics, such as signal strength, data throughput, and latency, to determine optimal coverage zone configurations. When the first coverage zone and the second coverage zone are the same, the system ensures that the same set of communication parameters is applied uniformly across the overlapping or identical zones, preventing conflicts and improving consistency in service delivery. This approach allows for seamless handoffs between zones and reduces the complexity of managing multiple overlapping coverage areas. The system may also include mechanisms for prioritizing certain zones based on user density or service requirements, further optimizing network efficiency. The overall goal is to provide a flexible and adaptive coverage management solution that enhances user experience and network reliability.
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March 2, 2021
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